Abstract:
A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) device having a gradient interconnect is provided, including a first gradient interconnect having opposing first and second surfaces, a first trench formed over the first surface of the first gradient interconnect, a second trench formed over the second surface of the first gradient interconnect, and an interconnecting tunnel formed in the first gradient interconnect for connecting the first and second trenches. A first porous conducting disc is placed in the first trench and partially protrudes over the first surface of the first gradient interconnect. A first sealing layer is placed over the first surface of the first gradient interconnect and surrounds the first trench. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is placed over the first surface of the first gradient interconnect and contacted with the first porous conducting disc and the first sealing layer.
Abstract:
A bipolar plate for a fuel cell is provided. The bipolar plate having flow channels for oxidant gas; said flow channels for oxidant gas comprising one or more grooves each representing a serpentine path; wherein each said serpentine path independently comprises N consecutive legs L1, L2, . . . LN; connected to each other by N−1 consecutive turn sections, T1, T2, . . . TN−1; wherein each leg L1, L2, . . . LN−1 being lengthwise separated from its consecutive leg L2, L3, . . . LN by a wall section, W1, W2, . . . WN−1; wherein each turn section representing a 180° change of flow direction of oxidant gas; wherein N is an odd integer of 3 or more; and wherein one or more of the wall sections W1, W2, . . . WN−1 independently comprise one or more by-pass channels for allowing oxidant gas to flow via a short cut from one leg Lx to its consecutive leg Lx+1; 1≦̸x≦̸N−1; thereby by passing a part of the leg Lx and a part of the leg Lx+1. Furthermore, a cooling plate having a similar design is provided. The bipolar plate as well as the cooling plate provide for more efficient supply of fluids over the surface of the plate.